By Megan Powell, Magali Prel, and Monique Smith
As the cold weather starts to stir and the first snowflakes fall, it is officially time to begin Christmas celebrations. A noticeable occurrence every year is how the festive season seems to creep up earlier and earlier. Many places, businesses and stores don their Christmas cheer, propelling us into a wintry direction – even while we’re still reeling from Halloween frights.
In the spirit of this festive eagerness, the Classics team has decided to spotlight some of our favourite classic texts that epitomise the Christmas spirit. These are not strictly Christmas stories but works that capture the joy of the build-up to the celebration in literature. Whether this is owed to a personal tradition, nostalgia or individual Christmas experiences, the Christmas spirit is felt in various ways. So, if you’re deciding to put up your Christmas tree or have already filled your home with festive decorations, here are some recommendations to accompany you on your countdown to the big day.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Secret History is a novel by American writer, Donna Tartt, first published in 1992. It follows a group of Classics students at Hampden College, an elite university in Vermont. The story is narrated by one of the students, Richard Papen, as he reflects on the murder of one of his classmates, Edmund “Bunny” Corcoran.
In literature, winter is often associated with mourning, despair, numbness and contemplation. By setting the novel during this season, Tartt makes clever use of pathetic fallacy. The novel draws heavily on the Greek tragedy, The Bacchae by Euripides, which centres on Dionysus, the god of intoxication and ritual madness. In the novel, the group carries out a Dionysian bacchanal that serves as the catalyst for Bunny’s death.
The Secret History contains many components of Greek tragedy, most notably ‘hamartia’, or the fatal flaw. The characters’ fatal flaws ultimately lead to their downfall. Other conventions of Greek tragedy woven throughout the novel include conflict, sacrifice and retribution. Like Greek tragedy, The Secret History suggests that much is beyond one’s control, and actions are subject to forces that transcend mortality.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Undisputedly the best-known of the seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was also the first published in the series, despite being the second book in the chronicles.
Possibly C.S. Lewis’ most famous book from his most famous series, this portal fantasy for children was published in the nineteen fifties. It tells the story of the Pevensie children, who are sent away to safety in the countryside during the war. Taken in by an elderly professor to stay in his large home, the children stumble through an old wardrobe into Narnia – a land cursed by the White Witch to remain forever in winter.
Out of all seven books in the series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the most loved. Its well-known movie adaptation is often played during the Christmas season – and for good reason. Much of the story is set in a winter wonderland, the awe-filled world of Narnia, complete with a visit from Santa Claus himself, who bestows magical gifts upon the children. Christmas is a magical time for many children, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe beautifully captures that Christmas spirit.
The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn
Serving as a modern Christmas classic, Jeff Guinn’s The Autobiography of Santa Claus (1994) details exactly what the title implies. In this clever and, at times, comical book, Guinn tells the life of Santa Claus through the narrative of St. Nicholas himself.
Over time, historical details about Santa Claus have varied and been embellished with each new generation. Guinn combines these ideas of myth and legend with historical fact to present a well-rounded account of Santa’s life. Through this blend of real history and beloved fantasy, it is easy to see why this book has become a family favourite during the holiday season. Its structure allows readers to enjoy the story in one sitting or spread it out over advent, savouring bite-sized delights with every chapter.
Blending magic and realism, Guinn’s presentation of Santa’s autobiography does not disappoint. For a book that celebrates the wonder of Christmas and embodies its spirit entirely, The Autobiography of Santa Claus is a heartwarming and enchanting read.